A Southern Engagement, Part 2

On our last full day in Austin, we ventured to the city's highest point, Mt. Bonnell. Though tiny and low compared to our Californian standards, it still gave us a glorious view of the surrounding lake and hill country. 

I miss Austin already. I kept telling Ro on the morning we left that it felt like the morning after a sleepover with all my friends when I was a kid. That empty, sad feeling of spending Sunday alone after the wild elation of a night with all my friends. Sorry guys, I try not to let the emo out, but it finds its way to the surface every now and then. =/

Peekaboo! 

We engaged, y'all! We just want to shout it from a mountain top! Luckily, we had one :)

So so happy

Christmas card, perhaps? 

A Southern Engagement

So on our vacay, Ro took me on a romantical boat ride on Lady Bird Lake in Austin. We picked up picnic supplies and ammo (as Ro proclaimed, "but babe...everything's so cheap here!") at a local Walmart (classy move of the day #1.) And we had a boat all to ourselves, taking in the view of the Austin skyline, which was pure magic. 

I had no idea what was coming...

Hello from the co-captains!

Classy  move of the day #2: champagne in red cups ;)

We're not cheesy. We're in lurrrrvvve!

Blowing my last kiss as a girlfriend before Ro got down on one knee and got me all misty-eyed :)

Moments after I said YES!

...the most perfect and unforgettable day of my life. I still get butterflies thinking about it!

Backroads

I've been meaning to post these pictures from our trip to Texas for awhile...it was an amazing trip, for a number of reasons ;)

I'll start off with some shots of my cousin's lovely home in the Texas hill country.

The house is named Desiderata, meaning "desired thing". I know why because the property is gorgeous, and so incredibly peaceful. I asked my cousin Stephanie how many cars drove by a day, and her husband said, "Five cars in one day is traffic." I love that!

They took us to Gruene, this small town with its own Main Street, and the oldest dance hall in Texas! Basically, it was heaven on earth.

I fell so deeply in love with Austin, with the quirky and friendly people, amazing barbecue, natural beauty, and abundance of things to do. We visited South Congress Ave twice...you know I can't resist good vintage and cupcakes!

We made a day trip down to San Antonio from Austin, and while I tried not to bore Roehl to tears at the Alamo, we of course had to stop by the Riverwalk. It was totally touristy but still beautiful and enchanting.

A Taste of Autumn

Old favorites get me in the autumn mood

My little pup-kin waiting patiently..."Mom, are the cookies ready yet?!"

Lately, I've been putting in long hours at my new job, and I barely have any time for myself and loved ones. My favorite month is almost over, and I haven't even experienced the joys of it because of my crazy schedule. I finally managed to get a day off, and instead of staying in pj's all day watching TV, (I only did that for the first half of the day,) I decided to actually make something. 

A friend's Instagram post inspired me to bake some cookies. Her post featured some fab pumpkin whoopie pies, and although I like pumpkin, I've always favored apple cinnamon as my go-to fall flavor. So I scoured the web for awhile to find an apple cinnamon whoopie pie recipe, and got to cookin!

I must say...they're pretty addicting! 

And now I'm off to get some chavelas with an old friend. Trying not to think of all the work that awaits me tomorrow. :)

Serendipity & Firefly

I had some of the yummiest food of my LIFE in Vegas this past weekend. I was so happy to finally try Serendipity 3. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

The frozen hot chocolate (oreo version shown) is truly surreal. I thought it would be just a lot of hype with not much to back it up. But there's this mystery flavor that I tried to put my finger on that just makes it POP! Best quote of the afternoon came from Francesca: "Mmm...I just burped and it tasted like the mystery ingredient." 

A few photos courtesy of my talented bestie. Check out her rad Tumblr!

And don't even get me started on Firefly, a treasure found only in Vegas. Food (tapas) so delicious, it brings a tear to your eye. I couldn't get enough of it so you know I had to visit for a second time right before my flight home! 

Oh yes, and the sparkling sangria was to-die. A foodie expedition at its best!

Let me tell you bout my best friend

...and what a blast I had visiting her in the city of sin! After all these long hours at work lately, it felt so amazing to take a quick trip and just relax eat, drink, and shop for more hours straight than I'd care to admit. I can't believe how infrequently I see her; that's why we have to make the most out of each visit we get!

She's gonna kill me for posting this but it was too hilarious to pass up...we stopped at a casino off the strip for a $3.99 steak & egg breakfast at 4am. She just slumped over and passed. the hell. out. Not even steak & eggs could wake her. I wish I could post my video of messing with her to try to wake her up...priceless!

And did we sleep all day after our long nights? Heck no. Thank God it was still warm enough for a pool party!

Our friend (and her roomie,) Roya :)

It was such an amazing weekend with my bestie boo! Only 4 more weeks until I see her again. This time it's her turn to visit me :)